It's Actually Not Easy Wanting to be a Supporting Male Lead

Chapter 1.4

In order to meet the standards of a good supporting male lead, in order to salvage the remaining half of the mission he has yet to fail at, Sui Yuan puts in all his hard work and effort into every task.

Exhausting a lot of time and effort, he strives to create events and openings where the male and female lead would be able to meet by chance. Only, it is a shame that each time he catches sight of the female lead, he will automatically slip into character, adopting an arrogant manner. On the other hand, Qin Zheng is as upright a man as can be, refusing to give his "friend's wife" more than a passing glance even if his life is at stake. Instead, Qin Zheng eagerly offers Sui Yuan advice on how best to capture a beauty, causing Sui Yuan untold amounts of hardship.

During this mission, Sui Yuan learns a rather important lesson. If the male lead is this kind of upright gentleman, then he must absolutely not show interest in the female lead before him. Or else, it will be impossible to ensure the story follows the original plot...

Without Fan Caiyao as the predestined female lead, Qin Zheng naturally doesn't show a sliver of interest in the other delicate noble ladies. Not long after the banquet that failed in rousing Qin Zheng's interest in a woman, a relaxed male lead returns to shadowing Sui Yuan. The pair roams the streets, go hunting, reading scrolls and generally spend most of their free time together. And naturally, the most important thing is to try steering him (QZ) in the direction of the female lead...

As a standard supporting male lead, the female lead is like a flower reflecting upon the water's surface. One can desire after her but cannot gain her. Even if everyone in his vicinity knows he harbours feelings for the female lead, even if there isn't this remarkable specimen of a male lead, even if the female lead somehow reciprocates his feelings, Sui Yuan can only persevere with his excuse in the form of a haughty remark, "As if I will like such a boorish woman!"

This constant statement really makes one's hair stand up in anger ah!

...But who can understand the distress deep in his heart?!

Regarding Sui Yuan failing half of his mission in his very first world, 5237 can only offer him comfort, encouraging him to struggle to the bitter end, as well as let the male and female leads do whatever they want. After all, being a constant companion to the male lead is pretty difficult in itself...

Although this diligent supporting male lead did unwittingly tear the plot apart, seeing the self-blame on Sui Yuan's face, it really can't bear to berate him.

...5237 is also feeling extremely vexed!

With the gradual passage of time, the period originally meant for the male and female lead to meet, get to know each other and eventually marry is thus passed with Sui Yuan and Qin Zheng spending almost every day together.

The nomadic tribes in the northwest invade the borders once more, and Qin Zheng is called back to lead his army. In the Ten Thousand Miles Pavilion, Sui Yuan is there to bid him farewell. 5237 circles around his head, sorrowfully chanting "this scene belongs to the female lead ah". The rest is drowned out by the soft strum of instruments in the background.

"Here we part, not knowing when we shall meet again." Qin Zheng gaze locks on Sui Yuan's face, deep and intense as he slowly lifts a hand to stroke down his long hair. "Play a song to bid me farewell, what do you say?"

Sui Yuan regards him silently, before nodding his head wordlessly.

An attendant standing a respectful distance away comes forward with a zither and a stand, setting them down in the middle of the pavilion. As soon as the attendant retreats, Sui Yuan settles himself comfortably before the instrument. Scarlet robes pooling gracefully around his person, he resembles a rose in full bloom. Slender hands stroking the strings lightly, his long eyelashes lower, half-masking his shining, dark pupils. In his heart, he questions 5237 on the song ought to be played during this scene.